Michigan education leaders host a powerful week of collaboration ahead of the 2025-26 school year

The Institute equips educators with high-quality, research-aligned strategies that directly impact classroom instruction, work that is critical because proficiency in literacy is directly tied to graduation rates, workforce readiness, and overall economic vitality. By aligning practices across regions, the network ensures that all Michigan students—no matter their zip code—benefit from effective, evidence-based instruction.

“This is about more than professional development—it’s about changing lives,” said an Institute attendee. “Strong literacy skills are the foundation for every other subject students will learn. By investing in early literacy, we are investing in the academic success, career readiness, and lifelong opportunities of Michigan’s children.”

Across multiple days, industry-leading researchers, educators, and facilitators hosted research-based learning and professional development opportunities aligned to the Essential Instructional Practices. As part of a statewide effort to strengthen early literacy instruction, the institute held breakout sessions focused on sharing vision, exchanging resources, building professional community, and inspiring instructional transformation.

“The two days spent at the Advanced Coaching Institute in Grand Rapids were outstanding. The institute was thoughtfully designed and well organized. The presentations by Dr. Alison Fox-Resnick, Steve Seward, and Dr. Tanya Wright were informative, inspiring, and engaging. My coaches and I walked away with new learning that stretched our thinking and tools that will support us when coaching teachers to implement the Essential Practices and improve their instruction,” said Melissa Wing, K-12 English Language Arts Coordinator, Genesee Intermediate School District. “We were also able to network and make connections with coaches from across the state. We truly enjoyed every moment and left feeling inspired, empowered, and ready to apply what we learned.”

This year’s institute built upon the knowledge and collaboration, serving as both a culmination of past work and a launchpad for the year ahead. 

Key highlights included:

• Collaborative breakout sessions led by ISD literacy coaches, leaders, and researchers sharing real-world solutions 

• Exchange of innovative strategies and resources to help teachers meet diverse learning needs

• Strengthening of statewide connections to create consistent, high-quality practices in every classroom

• By focusing on early literacy, Michigan’s educators are helping ensure that students enter higher grades prepared to succeed—not just in school, but in life. 

About the Michigan Association of Intermediate School Administrators (MAISA)

The Michigan Association of Intermediate School Administrators is comprised of superintendents and administrators representing the Intermediate School Districts (ISDs) of the State of Michigan. ISD administrators provide and coordinate essential services to their constituent school districts to facilitate teaching and learning. By coordinating efforts and resources, ISDs provide specialized services to students that would not be affordable/feasible otherwise. These services can include special education, vocational training, interdisciplinary subjects, language programs, early childhood education, parent services, community involvement, transportation, extracurricular activities, lifelong learning and adult education, and other necessary and exciting benefits are shared across districts for the success of every learner.

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